European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society
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Review Meta Analysis
Early cement augmentation may be a good treatment option for pain relief for osteoporotic compression fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
The incidence of osteoporotic compression fractures (VCFs) have been rising over the past decades. Presently, vertebral cement augmentation procedures such as balloon kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are common treatments allowing pain relief and functional recovery. However, there is controversy on whether different timeframes for cement augmentation affects clinical outcomes. Hence, this study aimed to compare pain relief and complication rates between early versus late cement augmentation. ⋯ Both early and late timeframes for cement augmentation offered significant improvement in pain relief, with similar post-operative absolute pain score, kyphotic angle, cement leakage and adjacent vertebral fractures. Early surgery may offer substantial pain relief in patients presenting with pain as early as < 2-4 weeks of VCFs.
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The relationship of degeneration to symptoms has been questioned. MRI detects apparently similar disc degeneration and degenerative changes in subjects both with and without back pain. We aimed to overcome these problems by re-annotating MRIs from asymptomatic and symptomatics groups onto the same grading system. ⋯ Diagnostic: individual cross-sectional studies with consistently applied reference standard and blinding.
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To evaluate the use of the modified and simplified vertebral bone quality (VBQ) method based on T1-weighted MRI images of S1 vertebrae in assessing bone mineral density (BMD) for patients with lumbar degenerative diseases. ⋯ The S1 VBQ was a promising tool in distinguishing poor bone quality in patients with lumbar degenerative diseases, especially in cases where the previously reported VBQ method based on L1-L4 was not available. S1 VBQ score could be useful as opportunistic assessment for screening and complementary evaluation to DEXA T-score before surgery.
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Review
Treatment of acute traumatic central cord syndrome: a score-based approach based on the literature.
Acute traumatic central cord syndrome (ATCCS) accounts for up to 70% of incomplete spinal cord injuries, and modern improvements in surgical and anaesthetic techniques have given surgeons more treatment options for the ATCCS patient. We present a literature review of ATCCS, with the aim of elucidating the best treatment option for the varying ATCCS patient characteristics and profiles. We aim to synthesise the available literature into a simple-to-use format to aid in the decision-making process. ⋯ An individualised approach to each ATCCS patient, considering their unique characteristics will lead to the best outcomes, and the use of a simple scoring system, can aid clinicians in choosing the best treatment for ATCCS patients.
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Review Meta Analysis
Lateral versus posterior approaches to treat degenerative lumbar pathologies-systematic review and meta-analysis of recent literature.
The lateral lumbar interbody fusion arose as a revolutionary approach to treating several spinal pathologies because the techniques were able to promote indirect decompression and lordosis restoration through a minimally invasive approach allowing for reduced blood loss and early recovery for patients. However, it is still not clear how the technique compares to other established approaches for treating spinal degenerative diseases, such as TLIF, PLIF, and PLF. ⋯ Lateral approaches can promote significant radiological correction and similar clinical improvement while reducing surgical blood loss and postoperative complications.